Pubdate: Fri, 18 Feb 2005
Source: Joplin Globe, The (MO)
Copyright: 2005 The Joplin Globe
Contact:  http://www.joplinglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/859
Author: Susan Redden

OFFICIALS TARGET ILLEGAL DUMPING

Dumpsite Access Could Be Blocked At Walnut Buttoms

CARTHAGE, Mo. - Access should be limited to stop trash dumping and other 
illegal activities in the Walnut Bottoms area north of Carthage, local 
officials and residents said at a meeting Thursday.

Members of the Jasper County Commission called the meeting to discuss 
whether the road could be closed into the region north of Spring River and 
west of Highway 571.

Jim Honey, Eastern District commissioner, said he would like to see the 
entrance gated to prevent trash dumping, drug use and other problems.

The area covers about 20 acres along Spring River. Part of the property was 
given to the city of Carthage by the Missouri Conservation Commission, and 
the rest is privately owned.

Richard Vacca, one of the landowners who attended the session, said he 
wants the area closed.

He said he also would like to see a nearby bridge repaired or replaced so 
he would have access to all of his property along the river. He said the 
crossing now has a 3-ton load limit.

"We've cleaned it up before, but you can't get a truck back there now," he 
said.

Blake Wolf, deputy county prosecutor, said the road could be vacated and 
returned to the property owners, who could gate the land. But, he said, 
county money cannot be spent on bridge repairs if the land is going to be 
returned to private owners.

Vacca said a bridge would not be necessary if a low-water crossing could be 
put in its place.

Clayton Christy, county engineer, said any construction on the river would 
require permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Honey asked Christy to check with the agency, saying that getting the area 
closed would be a good investment of county money.

"I feel like it would benefit everybody to keep down the trash and the 
other activities," he said.

Cary Lee, assistant road superintendent, said syringes and other drug 
paraphernalia are left in the area, and they wash into Spring River, along 
with other trash, during flooding.

Tom Short, city administrator, said the city does not use the property and 
has no interest in getting access to the area. Bob Williams, of the 
Carthage Water & Electric Plant, said the utility does not need an easement 
because it rerouted electric lines that used to go through the area.

"We couldn't keep them up; they kept shooting the insulators off," he said.

Telephone and cable lines still are on the poles, he said.

Honey said records show that local officials tried to do something about 
the problems in 1997 and 2002.

"When you start looking at it, it's a lot more complicated," he said.

The group plans to meet again after receiving a response from the Corps of 
Engineers.
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MAP posted-by: Beth